9 Swimsuit Designers on the Best Sunscreens for Your Winter Escape

Zoe Ruffner
Updated

Whether the destination is the bustling beaches of the Mexican Riviera or Harbour Island’s secluded sands, a peek inside the winter-escape luggage of swimsuit designers the world around will reveal a treasure trove of maillots fit for every occasion: the itsy-bitsy bikini, the surf-proof one-piece, the shore-to-street bandeau . . . and, of course, their SPFs are as carefully considered.

Take it from Mikoh’s Oleema Miller, who says, “It’s by far the most important part of my beauty and beach routine—and a daily essential.” Luckily, she adds, there’s now a wealth of ray-fighting formulas to choose from: “Natural, plant-based, chemical-free, or those extra-potent ones for long days in the sun . . . . ” Here, from a rosy lip balm to a coconut-scented cream that doubles as one stylist’s secret hair weapon, nine women who have managed to seamlessly merge sand and style sound off on the best sunscreens to stock up on before your next beach day.

<cite class="credit">Photos: Courtesy of Ilona Hamer; Courtesy of Le Tan</cite>
Photos: Courtesy of Ilona Hamer; Courtesy of Le Tan

Ilona Hamer, Matteau
“My favorite sunscreen is Le Tan’s SPF50+ Coconut Sunscreen Lotion. It’s an Australian staple that has a unique consistency and rubs straight in so that it feels like you just slathered on a good moisturizer, rather than a thick white sunscreen. The fragrance is the perfect sensory reminder of summer nostalgia, and I actually make a point to use it on all Matteau shoots as a protective body moisturizer for the perfect glow. My other secret use for it is to slick my hair with it in a center-part low bun if I’m going straight from the beach to dinner. It’s not tested on animals and Oxybenzone-free and I’ve never been sunburnt while wearing it!”

<cite class="credit">Photos: Courtesy of Lisa Marie Fernandez; Courtesy of Clarins</cite>
Photos: Courtesy of Lisa Marie Fernandez; Courtesy of Clarins

Lisa Marie Fernandez
“I absolutely love sunbathing and take my products very seriously. I choose brands for a variety of reasons but mostly effectiveness, texture, and scent. I prefer oils for the body and cream [such as] La Roche-Posay Hydraphase SPF 20 and Clarins Sunscreen for Face Wrinkle Control Cream SPF 30 for the face and décolletage.”

<cite class="credit">Photos: Courtesy of Georgiana Huddart; Courtesy of Piz Buin</cite>
Photos: Courtesy of Georgiana Huddart; Courtesy of Piz Buin

Georgiana Huddart, Hunza G
“I love Piz Buin’s brown bottle [sunscreen]. It’s got such a nostalgic look and smell and reminds me of holidays with my parents. All my siblings and I are very fair-skinned, so sun cream was a huge feature [while traveling], or we ended up looking like lobsters.”

<cite class="credit">Photos: Courtesy of Agnes Fischer; Courtesy of Lierac</cite>
Photos: Courtesy of Agnes Fischer; Courtesy of Lierac

Agnes Fischer, Fisch Swim
“I love going to French pharmacies and discovering new beauty products. It is the best place to find specialty beauty brands. Last time I was in St. Barth’s, I found Lierac Sunissime SPF 50, which is now my obsession when it comes to protection from the sun. My skin tends to get a bit oily from sunscreen, but this one has the lightest texture, fresh scent, and leaves my skin hydrated without that heavy-cream feel.”

<cite class="credit">Photos: Courtesy of Karla Rose; Courtesy of rawearthco.com.au</cite>
Photos: Courtesy of Karla Rose; Courtesy of rawearthco.com.au

Karla Rose, Zulu & Zephyr
I love the beautiful oil-based formulas of both Josh Rosebrook and Skin Juice. They combine nature's goodness with zinc oxide for sun protection and nourish the skin without added nasty ingredients whilst still providing sufficient protection against overexposure to UV rays.

<cite class="credit">Photos: Courtesy of Roxana Salehoun; Courtesy of Bussell Skin Care</cite>
Photos: Courtesy of Roxana Salehoun; Courtesy of Bussell Skin Care

Roxana Salehoun
“I have very sensitive skin and tend to break out with most SPFs, so I started using one that a dermatologist I used to see makes and sells herself: Dr. Bussell’s Sunblock. It works for my skin because it’s very light and milky. I also use Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer 30 with no problem.”

<cite class="credit">Photos: Courtesy of Mikoh / @mikoh; Courtesy of EltaMD; Courtesy of Shade Sunscreen</cite>
Photos: Courtesy of Mikoh / @mikoh; Courtesy of EltaMD; Courtesy of Shade Sunscreen

Oleema Miller, Mikoh
“I am obsessed with EltaMD’s sunscreen. I apply it rain or shine and double down on it when I’m beach-bound. It’s the perfect consistency for under makeup, and they make a waterproof version for when you’re spending all day in the water. Fresh makes an amazing rose-colored lip balm with SPF 15 that I use every single day. It’s the perfect sheer berry shade and the SPF is an added bonus.”

Kalani Miller, Mikoh
“I am constantly trying out new sunscreens, and always have a full arsenal in my beach bag and toiletry kit. When we are out where it is full sun exposure (like Tavarua Island in Fiji), I always use Shade Sunscreen. It is a thicker formula that I know will stay on.”

<cite class="credit">Photos: Courtesy of Gina Esposito; Courtesy of Nu Swim</cite>
Photos: Courtesy of Gina Esposito; Courtesy of Nu Swim

Gina Esposito, Nu Swim
“My favorite sunscreen is Zoca Lotion SPF 30 Reef-Safe Zinc Oxide Sunscreen. It has all organic ingredients, great packaging, a beautiful mint green color, and an incredible smell.”

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